Jamie Reidy comments on Charles Baird, a man who will live alone for one year on an Alaskan island.
CNN’s Erin Burnett interviewed the adventurer. She asked what motivated him to do something so extreme:
I’ve always been intrigued by the explorers and pioneers from the old days…I wanted to share something that’s not contrived situations, it’s not a game show, it’s real.
He will have a satellite uplink, but he won’t be able to receive any information.
The CNN host asked him: Do you know how lonely you might be?
I’m not not married, don’t have any kids, so that simplifies a lot of things… The isolation will be the biggest challenge.
Charles Baird is a much stronger man than I am. Solo for a year? No chance.
Prior to my departure from the Army and Japan in 1995, I took a five-day trip to Thailand. My first two days were spent with a CIA buddy in Bangkok, but then I went to Koh-Samui, a gorgeous island by myself for the remainder. I thought it would be good to have some time to myself, do some reflection on my two years in Japan, and mentally prepare myself for my return to the States.
Within four hours of lying on the beach, I was bored. Surrounded by German tourists, I had no one with whom to strike up a conversation. Four hours later, I was ready to kill myself. Apparently, I need someone – anyone – around to hear my stories. So, I probably won’t be spending a year by myself in Alaska or anywhere else.
Mr. Baird mentioned bringing a dog and a small goat with him, along with numerous supplies. He did not mention packing extra hand lotion. I feel this is an oversight on his part; all that tree-chopping and cabin-bulding will give him a lot of callouses…
Speaking of his lack of sex, Ms. Burnett made me jealous with her obvious interest in this story. She gushed to him, “I can’t wait to follow you on Facebook!” I’ve been trying for years to get Erin Burnett to follow me on Facebook; guess I’ll be moving to Timbuktu.
Will you tune in to Charles Baird’s show?